Phd Position: The Memory Function of Sleep: - Maastricht, Nederland - Maastricht University

Maastricht University

Geverifieerd bedrijf

Maastricht, Nederland

3 weken geleden

Geplaatst door:

Daan Van den Berg

werver van beBee

Beschrijving

PhD position:
The Memory Function of Sleep: Reactivating lost memories using Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation (NIBS) and a Pharmacological Approach at the Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology (NP&PP)

In our lab, we study 'The Memory Function of Sleep'. To this end, we conduct both animal and human studies.

Some of this work is conducted by looking at the beneficial effects of sleep on memory, but mostly we research sleep's role in memory by studying the negative consequences of the absence of sleep (sleep loss).

Using this approach, the molecular mechanisms behind the negative effects of sleep loss on memory have largely been elucidated. This provided important insights into how sleep is important for memory function during sleep. What remained unknown, however, was the question to what extent these memories are lost.

Recent work of our lab, using a combined optogenetic and pharmacological approach, revealed that memories compromised by sleep loss are not completely lost and can even be artificially retrieved in rodents.

The current project aims to translate these findings to the human setting. A challenge that arises is the need for a human-applicable alternative for optogenetic memory reactivation. We have successfully used subliminal reactivation paradigms to this end. However, this only results in temporary restoration of the memory. We are searching for means to make the restored memories permanently accessible again.

The aim of the current PhD project is to investigate the potential of a pharmacological approach as well as non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) in combination with subliminal memory reactivation.

The NIBS studies are conducted in direct collaboration with experts in the field (i.e., Prof. Alexander Sack and Dr. Vincent van de Ven at the department of Cognitive Neuroscience).

The PhD student will be involved in all aspects of human testing. From obtaining ethical approval to manuscript publication.

The PhD student will become proficient in the use of NIBS for memory research, pharmacological stimulation of memory function, and the general procedures involving medical scientific research.

The PhD student will be part of the department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, specifically the Psychopharmacology section. There are currently three other PhD students working in the lab of Dr. Heckman (each working on their own, but related, projects).

Responsibilities/tasks of the PhD student:

Development of a doctoral dissertation under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and a (co)promotor
Contribution to the full project plan (under supervision)
Obtaining the BROK certification
Obtaining medicalethical approval
Participant testing and execution of the studies
Project management
Navigating stimulus presentation software
Learning the neurobiological underpinnings of noninvasive brain stimulation
Obtaining certified user status and safety qualification to administer noninvasive brain stimulation techniques (magnetic, electric) to healthy participants
Use of noninvasive brain stimulation
Acquisition, postprocessing and analyzing behavioral and neuroimaging data (e.g., EEG)
Active contribution to other research activities within the larger research group
Setting up and/or maintaining (inter) national collaborations within the field
Keeping up with the relevant scientific literature within the field of study
Supervising students/interns on the research project

Requirements:

- (Research) Master's degree in neuroscience or equivalent

Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as in a team
Experience in human behavioral testing/studies

- (At least some) experience in computational modelling/programming is desired

A personality characterized by communicative, collaborative, and organizational skills
Good oral and written English communication
Strong ethical stance in conducting and reporting on empirical scientific research

What we offer

As
PhD position:

The Memory Function of Sleep: Reactivating lost memories
at
Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht.

In addition, we offer you**:

Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale P according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €2770,00 and €3539,00 gross per month (based on a fulltime employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% yearend bonus apply.
An employment contract for a period of 12 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 3 years will follow.
At Maastricht University, the wellbeing of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You wil